Key holder



June 17, 1952 H. A. GALLAGHER 2,600,749

Y KEY HOLDER Filed April 26, 1949 2 sl-IEETs-sl-IEET 1 June 17, 1952 H, A. GALLAGHER 2,600,749

l KEY HOLDER Filed April 26, 1949 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 INVENToR. Henry ,4. GQ//afyer Patented June 17, 1952 .KEY k trommels Henry A. Gallagher, LoscAngeleaalif.

Applicationpril 1943, Serialllio y10 Claims.

This invention has to do with a key )solder and it is a general object of the invention to provide e, key holder which `serves to effectively and Conveniently carry oneor more keys Such as the average'person carries in a pocket or parsa and which is of simple., inexpensive Coil- Stifuetoalis neat .and compact .and is tree Qi complicated-de1icate. or costly mechanisms ,Subject to ,failure or impwperoperatpn- .The device of Vthe present invention is Chareoteifized by a .sectional 'body which 'defines a longitudinal guideway .Open stone or'bih ends of *nobody ande Qhamberwtliin thebodycommilitants with the .euidewey- Kers are leneased Ain .eiherlor both ends 0f the guidewiy and ari eistiflg Spring is @meer 'compression betwentbeheods orrfhelmernds of thelist while stops' ,in the' .bpdyilimt .Outward movement of the -keys under the action of lthe velecting spring. A lock means is Vprovided in connection witheaonkey and involves a spring held lock pin'tl'iat directly engages o r cooperates'with the key and positively holds -tfhe key either in anrn posit-'ion where Yit is within the `body or an out position. where Ait projects from. the body, fthe 'lock pin being disposed transversely vof the vbody and l'having an end "accessible-at the exterior of the body so that-it is subject'to `being conveniently `depressedto release thefkey-tofmove either in Vor lout. v

It is afgeneral object of the present invention to Vprovide a key-holder'of-thegeneral oharacter referred -to in whicnthere is a rigidelongnate body Awith an opening continuously through it from -oneend to theV other .and in which keys are carried-in the end portions oftheguideways and have aooznpression spring located lbetw-een `them Anormally yieldingl-yurgi'ng bothA-keysfout- `iis/ .ardiy.

Another object of the invention isto provide a structure of the general characterreierred --to wherein Ythe Vkeys employed are `of simple, in-

expensive construction .or formation. The `ltey of the .preseifit invention --may have 'a Aconventional shank Withla straight plain -back and -with la `front fthat it suitably `prei-lied -vif-hilera simple, small 'headis provided at theinnerend of the .shank serving fto.s1idably .support the 'key-in the body. *Inthepr-eterr-ed construction theV straight, -plainwback of Ythe key y'is continuous throughout the dength of keyeand has rnotches;yvlliolji `cooperate -with the lock -bolt `-or p in of the structure.

Another object of the `invention is to provide anholder of the `general character referred to wherein f a key slidably mounted in a bolyjis directly engeged bv a .Sprrghsld leekrin fr ich is Operablsirem the exterior ,of .the hofiythe Preferred :arrangement one 4@ed ofthe .199k

ein projects from the esten@ ,pf body .t0

Lil

be conveniently accessible so that-it can-be `deplessed i0 releasetheksy while the body -isfheld in the 'hand of the user.

n further object of the invention is to pro-f vide a key holder of theeeneral character reierred to Awhich involves but fe-W simple, inexpensive parts which `make fordependable convenient operation and for a practical? inexpensive construction.

y The -various vobjects and -features .of my .nvention will Abe fully-understood `from l.the i01- lowing detailed description of typical pre- Vferred `forms and applications of ,the invention, throughout which rdescription .reference is made to rthe -.accompanying` drawings, in which:

`Fig. il is A.a perspective view of Ya typical-embodiment .of the present :invention Ashowing rit with the severalkeys in or retracted, making-the structure suitablelfor carrying in `a pocket or a purse-ortho like. Fig. -2 is -a View simil-ar V-to Fig. 41,showinga key `ejected or extending from onerend of Athe #body and `in `position `ready -fo-r engagementwitha lock. Fig. 3 is an enlarged end elevation of Vthestruoture -shown in Fig'. 1. Fig. iis Ya -viewsim'ilar tofliiig. `3 showingaeonstruction wherein the body has a single guideway instead of :havingtwoeuideways as shown in Fig. 3. Figf isaside-elevation of a-'key pro- -vided :loy `'the present invention. Fie. 6 is an enlarged detailed `sectional-view staken @longitudinally of the structure, as indicated Vb-y line S-B on Fig. 4. Fig. `'l is -a longitudinal sectional view of the structuretaken as indicated by line `.i--l' onfFig.- 6. Fig. 8 =is-a -vie-W similaretor a porltion ofllig.v 6. showing-a .leyejectedor extended,

ready for operation.V Fig.' 9is an enlarged de- Atailed transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 9 9 cin-Fig. 8, and showing `the lock mantendra and holding there. 10 -is va View similar t, o `9 showing the-loci; Din eperaiedsothet ihezlsyisrelsasedy Fig-31 is en enlarged. detailed .Seeiioaal view` tetn as ldadildylle H 'jl @l-Fig S iFg-V vl2" 'iS- View similirto Fis- 6- shoving a som'wht difielentrform of tuefinvfentiel' Fielr is' a 'ef- ,iionslview teksilasiadiceted.byline .IS-lf3 fon .1 2- Fia 1411s aviswfaiaeriiqnof .lila-'.12 shot/insite key e .ctednrirlenepsraiing` osias indicated by une .I6-i6 enric- 312. .Fie 1r is an enlarged cietailedsectiocal lview base es moicsiedtvline 1 1-11 .12andr'ia-isis en enlarged ,detailed Sectional `View taken @slui- 'siieatesi .byline ll 8 .onlFis- 1.2-

fl@ ...Structure eroi/.leed .bytherressnt inten# `tion riveli/ ea generally, .a more 'which is preferably sectional in construction and dannosa lpesitueiaal ,siiideway lil with Chamber fi0 tion II intermediate the ends of the body, one or more keys B slidably supported in the guideway I to be independently operable therein between in or retracted positions, as shown in Fig. 6, and out or operating positions as shown in Fig. 8, ejecting means C acting to normally yieldingly urge the keys outwardly or to the position shown in Fig. 8, stop means D serving to limit outward movement of the keys and lock means E releasably holding the keys in the said positions.

The body A is preferably a simple elongate structure that may be substantially rectangular in cross sectional configuration. In the preferred form of thev invention the body is of sectional construction and denes one or more guideways I0 which extend longitudinally of the body, preferably from one end to the other thereof. Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings will serve to illustrate how the body can be constructed to have one in its inner side I3, which channel forms the guideway I0 for carrying one or more keys B. Another or second section of the body is a closure section releasably secured to the side I3 of section I2 to form a closure for the guideway I0 so that the key or keys are retained therein. In the formy of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the closure section I4 of the body is a simple, fiat, thin plate-like part secured to the flat side I3 of section I2, and in this case there is a second main section I2 and the closure section I4 is retained or interposed between the two main sections I2 to the end that a sectional closure section I4 forms a closure for the guideways of the two main sections I2. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4 the closure section Ma together with the main section I2 completes the body A and in such case it is desirable that the closure section be somewhat thicker than that shown in Fig. 3'

and that its outer side or face I5 be finished or surfaced or even ornamented to correspond to the outer face I6 of the main section I2. For simplicity of illustration the simple form of body which defines a single guideway I0 is shown in the various figures of the drawings following Fig. 4, it being understood, however, that if desired the type of construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 may be employed in carrying out or`in connection with the various details of construction illustrated in Figs. 4 to 18, inclusive.

The body A includes, in addition to the sections which cooperate to deiine the guideway or guideways, a fastening means by which the body sections are secured together. In practice it is preferred to employ a releasable fastening means and as shown in the drawings the fastening means may include a plurality of screw fasteners 2B suitably located throughout the body that the description is applicable to any and all y keys included in the device.

The key B, as provided by the present invention and as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, involves a usual or typical key shank 2I preferably provided with a straight plain back edge 22 and with a lock operating or profiled front edge 23. A head 24 is provided or formed on the inner end of the shank and has straight parallel edges 25 and 26 and an end 21. The edge 25 of the head is preferably straight and continuous with the back edge 22 of the shank so that it is, in effect, a part or continuation thereof. In accordance with the invention and for cooperation with the means E as will be hereinafter described, the key B is provided with .features or characteristics such, for example, as

one or more notches 30 in the straight back edge 22. In the preferred form of the invention there is a notch 30 in the edge 22 at the head end portion thereof and there is a like or similar notch 3l in the edge 22 in the outer or forward end portion thereof.

The ejecting means C, in accordance with the present invention, is preferably a simple compression spring carried in the chamber portion II of the opening defined by the body A. The inner end or head 24 of each key is engaged by a spring of means C to the end that each key is normally yieldingly urged outwardly so that it moves to an extended or operating position as shown in Figs. 2 and 8 of the drawings whenever released through operation of the lock means E. In the usual application of the invention two keys B are carried in the guideway I0, the keys being entered in the guideway from opposite ends thereof so that their heads 24 are opposed and spaced apart in the body as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. In such case the spring 35 of the ejecting means C is arranged under compression between the heads 24 of the two keys in the guideway IIl. In practice the spring of the means C may vary in form and construction and for example I have illustrated this spring in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 11 as a simple coil or helical spring, whereas in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 the spring 35a is illustrated as a iiat spring of zigzag formation so that it corresponds, generally, in cross section to the cross sectional configuration of the chamber portion I I of the guideway.

The stop means D provided for or in connection with each key B serves to limit outward movement of the key in the body or in the guideway of the body and stops the key in an ejected or out position where the shank portion 2 I thereof projects from the body in a manner to enter a lock, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2, 8 and 14 of the drawings.

In the form of the invention illustrated on sheet I of the drawings the stop means D involves an inwardly facing stop shoulder 40 in the body or in the guideway of the body so positioned as to be engaged by the forward end 4I of the head of the key. In this particular form of the invention the stop 40 is a fixed or permanent stop. being formed or established permanently in the body by so shaping the guideway as to provide the desired stop shoulder. In the form of the invention shown on sheet 2 of the drawings the stop shoulder IIIa instead of being a fixed permanent or rigid part of the body is formed on an element 44 which is shiftable in or relative to the body so that the shoulder can be disengaged from the key permitting the key to be removed from the body, if desired, for changing, repair, replacement, or other handling of the key independent of the body. In this form of lthe invention the member 44 is shown as a leaf springfsecured linl the body -aslby iiasteningmeans 4x2 and carried fin avrecess-d in thefliody--communicating with the g-uidevvay. `The stopshoulder `Aa, like the stp-shoulder-`40 shown on ySheet 1, cooperates with the forward end- Mofthe head of the key. 'Iheinembervor springMhas-a -part extending -onffwa'frd or Afor-ward 'fronti-the. Ashoulder to be accessible toan-implementihserted in the end portion Eof "the fguideway {so that '-the spring can be l depressed `4to'rrnoveithei s-hoiilder 540B to afpositionf Where it-Wil'l not -stop theg'key.

The' lock -l means E serves or actsfto --releasably lioldthe key in either- ,the in orf retracted position shownjinjFigG or'inf-th'e out or working rposition shown" in =8. `The A-lock means Ain its preferred y`form involves va Flock `bolt or -pin v50 slidably carried i-n anfoper-iing 5 I thebod-y and a spring 52 "which engages orV acts'eponthepin to normally yieldably hold it in a -positionwhere it entersa notch ofthekey to positively prevent shifting of thekey lengthwiseof -theguideway In the preferred arrangement the opening 5 l 2carrying thelocl; pin extends transversely of the body and isnear one end of thebody whereit is-solocatedas to intersect the-gnidewaylil at one edgethereof, Vpreferably at the edg'ewhich is engagedbythebackvedge' of thekey. :In the form ofthe inventionlsho'wnfonSheet 1 *of the drawingsthe-lock pinfhas akey engaging portion A sli'dably carried in 1` the Vgnidevvay 5l whichportion isrou'nd in-cross section and is shiftable intofand out of engagement with the keyas the lockopin is operated. -When the lock pinis in theset or'operating position as `shown in Fig. 9 of the drawingsV the part 55 of vthe-pin is'ina notch ofgthe'V key,`either notch `3l) ornot'oh 3|, and thus positively holds the-key against movement relative-tothe body. V:When the lock pin is operateclor4 depressed, as shown in `Fig. 10, the part 50- is removed'from'thekey to befree of or out ofthe notch of the key, 44thusleaving theekeyV free to move between the positionsshown in'jFigs. 6 Aand 8 vofthe drawings. The-'body' may be 'providedwith guideWAaysf-Elbto receive and guide the'pins 5l) fwhen the-form ofthe inventionshow'n in Figsf1 to 3 is employed. A

-In `theparticular case shown on Sheet lof the drawings the lock'pin'has a. stemportion 56 of reduceddiameter thatjprojectsfrom thekey engaging partV 455 and vis slidably carriedvin a portion "Ela of the `bodyA opening. Acnp-like cap or jbuttonl'lA isl carried'on the outer end ofthe stem and is `slida'bly Vengaged-in an enlargement 58oif1the opening in thefbody. f-Ihe cap carries or thouses `a spring '59 `which forms themeans 52,@the spr-ingleeing so Aarranged onthe stemSS and inthec'apsiilr as to normally Ayieldingly; hold the lockfpin in the Voperating lposition shown in Fig. 9. When the lock pin is in the `position shown in-Fig.9 the cup-like cap 5l projects from the exterior ofthebodyto be conveniently accessible so that'the user'to release the key for niovementmerely depresses the cap `or buttonto a position where it is flush withthe exteriorof the body. asshown infie-.210-

In the formof the invention shown onslieetz offthe Adrawings the lock pin 150% is similar, '.generally,` tothe lock pin abovedescribed in. thatit has the keyenga'gingpart`55,fstem 56 andiacap 51 carried f by `the stem. "In thisform of .the invention, howeven'the meansorespringgSz-that 4ope-rates the lock pin is .nota -helical-spring carried in .the cap Y51 "but ather, `is a leafspring 60 4mounted in 'a recess 6| extending longitudinally in the body. The leaf spring is anchored or see-ered fat V-l2l land-its lfree .for working end is forked and engages fa reduced '.part, 6'5 uof :the

stem-56 vas clearly shown inlFig. 4l-7 of the drawings. In this-formoffthe inventiona singlefleaf spring 60 may rbefanchored -niidvmy' Vbetween the ends ofi/'the lbody -A-sorthatlithas likeoppositely projecting -end portions engaging andoperating lock-pins atthe two -en'dsl of l`the-.body- Yrom the ioregoingdesoription itlistollbe observed `thatthrough-iny1present `invention `the body A is lof Vvery simple, `inexpensive, construction and it is `vsuch that exteriorgsuriaces l,thereof may be suitably ornamented :or-mayilbefernployed to 'carry' initialsyoriotheridentification or even advertising matter. Tur-then; it. is apparentL that various featuressiich as-,bodiesofluminouspai-nt or the like may be applied to the '-body .as .at the len d' portions thereoi, as :may be desired The key employedfin corr-ying .A outthe present inventionl iso'f simpleiform, easily nianuf-aotiired and involves l:a mini-miimlamoiint "of material A featqirelofethe inventioniis--tliatLtheikeyformation-reqr1ired Vfor the Y present construction can be gained by suitably modifying the ordinary or average key by simply rnodifying Athe A`head end thereof and notehing-the straigl-itlback, all asshown nintig. V5 ofltheidrawngs. The ejecting =means VC of the vpresent invention freq-dires but a single spring to operate two Ellteys xandfit will -be Lappar-'ent from "fthe y"drawings {that -the spring `required may be of sim-ple, inoxperlsive,v construction. "-Iheloekf means which-is afeatnre of yfthe present invention involves a minimnm of parts, there being #but fa *single lock pin and itsfoperating springfrequiredto locka key `and rectly engages -the key, Vthus eliminating cornplioated, delicate, expensive, l intervening parts such as are lgener-'ally involvedin is:trirc'tti'res of this general character. The -look means lof JL the present `invention is Veasily operated is oonvenientl-y located, and serveslto l' securely L'ahold the-key either -in or-out,fas'required.

When -Ythe key or l'ieys lare in, *as dshQwn `in Figs. 1 andf of theld'rawings, thegstructure-is compact and 'suitable A'for carrying either -in a purseorin ajpocket, whereaswhen a key is desired-fior use4 it is merely necessary Ato `depress the lock pin, holding the jjkey, Vwhereupon the keymoves to operating-position where itis secured'L byreleasing the lock pin. When thekey has fbeen Yuseda'rrd'it is desired to j restore the key fto the 'jin position it --is {rnerely :necessary torelease the lock pin and/ press the ykey into thebody releasing fthe lock fpinso {that Ait'- holds the key in theA in fposition.

Having described onlyjtypical preferred'iorxns and applications of 'my invention,- I do not ywish to`- be limited or restrictedl toA thespecific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to rnyself any variations `or modiiications that may appear to those skilled inthe art and ffallwithin the scopeofthe following claims.

,..Iavine described my Linventeajiclaimr 1 IA they hcl'derlncludne. an elongate body having 'a main 1 sectionA with fa guideway in one side open at each' end of the-body and" a-(closure section at said side of thev main section closing theguideway, two keys slidably carriedfindthe guideway, Aa ,y singleA spring in the guideway ibetween the keysV normally urging ,the keys Giltwardlygin' the guidevsray;r andjlocki means for each keyirelsaseblylioldine itin" there@ orlroictlg enlignezendgsfgthezhvdyzzffAifkey holderyincluding, an -.e1onsate= body with a longitudinal guideway open at one end of the body, a key slidably carried in the guideway to reciprocate between an in position wholly within the body and a working position projecting from the end of the body parallel therewith, a spring in the body normally yieldingly urging the key to the working position, stop means stopping the key in working position, and lock means releasably holding the key in said position, the stop means including a spring carried by the body and having a stop shoulder engaged by the key.

3. A key holder including, an elongate body with a longitudinal guideway open at one end ofthe body, a key having an outer working end and an inner end slidably carried in the guideway to reciprocate between an in position wholly within the body and a working position where the working end of the key projects from the end of the body parallel therewith, a spring in the body normally yieldingly urging the key to the working position, releasable stop means stopping the key in working position and including a member carried by the body and shiftable relative thereto, said member having a normal working position where it is engaged by the inner end of the key upon the key being moved to working position, and lock means releasably holding the key in said positions.

4. A holder for a key having a head and a straight longitudinal notched back edge including, an elongate body having a longitudinal guideway adapted to slidably carry the key, a spring in the guideway adapted to normally urge the key outwardly in the guideway to prof ject from one end of the body, a releasable stop means adapted to limit outward movement of the key in the guideway including, a leaf spring carried in the body and having a stop shoulder adapted to be engaged by the head of the key when the key is in working position, and a lock pin shiftably carried in the body and adapted to releasably engage the notches in the key to hold the key in said working position or in an in position where it is wholly within the body.

5. A key holder including an elongate body with a longitudinal keyway therein open at each end of the body, two keys arranged oppositely and slidably carried in the keyway, the keys having opposed heads slidably engaged in the keyway, asingle spring in the keyway under compression between the heads of the keys and normally yieldingly urging each of the keys to a Working position where it projects from the body, and lock means releasably holding the keys in retracted positions where they arewholly within the body.

6. In combination, an elongate body having a guideway extending longitudinally therethrough and open at the ends of the body, two oppositely disposed keys slidably supported in the guideway, each key having an edge -with notches thereon, spring means normally yieldingly urging the keys apart, a lock pin for each key being shiftably carried by the body and adapted to move into and out of engagement with a notch of the key, and a single leaf spring carried by the body and extending longitudinally thereof and engaging each lock pin to normally yieldingly hold it in notch engaging position.

7. In combination, an elongate body having a guideway extending longitudinally therethrough and open at the ends of the body, two oppositely disposed keys slidably supported in the guideway, each key having an edge with notches therein, a single spring in the guideway between theopposed ends of the keys normally yieldingly urging the keys apart, a'lock pin for each key carried by the body to move into and out of engagement with a notch of the key, and a single leaf spring carried by the body and extending longitudinally thereof and engaging each lock pin to normally yieldingly hold it in notch engaging position.

8. In combination, an elongate body having a guideway extending longitudinally therethrough and open at the ends of the body, two oppositely disposed keys slidably supported in the guideway, each key having an edge with notches therein, spring means normally yieldingly urging the keys apart, a lock pin for each key carried by the body to move into and out of engagement with a notch of the key, spring means normally yieldingly holding the pins engaged in the notches of the keys, and stop means limiting outward movement of the keys in the guideway including a single elongate leaf spring carried by the body to extend longitudinally thereof and having stop shoulders at its ends cooperatively engaged by the keys.

9. In combination, an elongate body having a guideway extending longitudinally therethrough and open at the ends of the body, two oppositely disposed keys slidably supported in the guideway. each key having an edge with notches therein, spring means normally yieldingly urging the keys apart, a lock pin for each key carried by the body to move into and out of engagement with a notch of the key, a single leaf spring carried by the body and extending longitudinally thereof and engaging each lock pin to normally yieldingly hold it in notch engaging position, and stop means limiting outward movement of the keys in the guideway including a single elongate leaf spring carried by the Ibody to extend longitudinally thereof and having stop shoulders at its ends cooperatively engaged by the keys.

10. In combination, an elongate body having a guideway extending longitudinally therethrough and open at the ends of the body, two oppositely disposed keys slidably supported in the guideway, each key having an edge with notches therein, a single spring in the guideway between the opposed ends of the keys normally yieldingly urging the keys apart, a lock pin for each key carried by the body to move into and out of engagement with a notch of the key, a single leaf spring carried by the body and extending longitudinally thereof and engaging each lock pin to normally yieldingly hold it in notch engaging position. and stop means limiting outward movement of the keys in the guideway including a single elongate leaf spring carried by the body to extend longitudinally thereof and having stop shoulders at its ends cooperatively engaged by the keys.

HENRY A. GALLAGHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 825,063 Lawbaugh July 3, 1906 1,903,372 Copell Apr. 4, 1933 1,924,134 Segal Aug. 29, 1933 1,972,879 Flintermann Sept. 1l, 1934 2,008,398 Mangan July 16, 1935 2,393,373 Hendrix Jan. 22, 1946 2,490,396 Leif Dec. 6, 1949 

